Thai Public Holidays 2017 (2560 B.E.)

Italicized dates are for the year 2017 (2560 B.E./Buddhist era) and vary from year to year, according to the Thai lunar calendar.
National holidays, when banks, government offices etc. are closed, have been highlighted in blue; when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the following Monday is a “substitution” holiday.

Please note that an alcohol ban may be imposed and bars and other entertainment venues required to close for one day on the most important Buddhist holidays or election days. Details will also be announced in our news blog.

January

January 1, 2017 – New Year’s Day, national holidayJanuary 2 & 3 – substitution holiday for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day which fall on the weekendJanuary 28 – Chinese New Year

February

February 11– Makha Bucha Day (one of the most important Buddhist holy days; alcohol ban)February 13 – substitution holiday for Makha Bucha Day which falls on a Saturday

April

April 6 – Chakri Day, commemorates the founding of the ruling Chakri dynasty in 1782April 13-15 – Songkran festival. The traditional Thai New Year and “water festival” officially starts on April 13 and ends on April 15. In some parts of Thailand, however, Songkran is celebrated for up to a full week. In Pattaya, for example, April 19 marks the main and final day of the festival.

August

October

October 5 – Wan Ork Phansa (End of Buddhist Lent and an important Buddhist holiday; alcohol ban)October 23 – Chulalongkorn Day, marks the anniversary of the death of King Chulalongkorn

November

November 3 or 4 – Loy Krathong festival

December

December 5 – King Bhumibol’s Birthday / Father’s Day. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, born in 1927 and also known as Rama IX, had been on the throne for 70 years when he passed away on October 13, 2016.December 10 – Constitution DayDecember 11 – substitution holiday for Constitution Day which falls on a SundayDecember 31 – New Year’s Eve, national holiday

No official holidays but bars may have to close or perhaps just tone down their activities for a couple of days. It’s not even sure yet whether an official alcohol ban will be imposed on the 26th which is the main day of the royal cremation.